Bear Brook State Park —
Your Complete Guide
New Hampshire's largest developed state park: about 10,000 acres of forest, ponds and trails between Concord and Manchester.
What is Bear Brook State Park?
Bear Brook State Park is New Hampshire's largest developed state park, with about 10,000 acres of forest in Allenstown and Deerfield.It has more than 40 miles of trails, a 101-site campground on Beaver Pond, walk-in cabins on Bear Hill Pond, a swimming area on Catamount Pond and two free archery ranges. Day use costs $4 for adults and $2 for children 6 to 11. The park is run by the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation.
The park is a working piece of 1930s history. Civilian Conservation Corps crews built its first trails, roads and picnic areas, and their camp still stands near the entrance. The federal government handed the land to the state in 1943.
Bear Brook State Park at a Glance
What to Do at Bear Brook
Most day visitors come for the trails and Catamount Pond. Campers stay at the far end of the park, around Beaver Pond and Bear Hill Pond.
Beaver Pond Campground
101 tent and RV sites by Beaver Pond, with a camp store, a campers' beach, showers and a dump station.
Campground Guide →
Bear Hill Pond Cabins
Furnished walk-in cabins for 4 or 6 people, no electricity, plus a 1937 lean-to on Smith Pond.
Cabins & Shelter →
Catamount Pond Beach
The day-use swimming area, with a bathhouse pavilion, boat rentals and a picnic area. No dogs.
Beach Guide →
Trails
40+ miles through forest to marshes, bogs, ponds and the Catamount Hill lookout.
Hiking Guide →
Mountain Biking
Every trail is multi-use unless posted, including singletrack that NH State Parks features in its own photos.
Riding Guide →
Archery Range
One of two free public archery ranges in New Hampshire. Bring your own bow and arrows.
Archery Guide →A Big Park With Several Entrances
Bear Brook is large enough that where you park matters. The official trail map shows tollbooths in two places: at Catamount Pond on Deerfield Road, and on Podunk Road near the Bear Brook trailheads. The campground sits about five miles away by road, at the end of Lower Road in Deerfield, and the Bear Hill cabins are off Podunk Road to the south. The trails tie all of it together.Parking and directions for each area.
When to Go
Searches for the park peak in July. On nice weekends, book a beach or hiking pass so you are not turned away at the gate. Fall is quieter: in 2026 the beach went unstaffed on September 7, while the hiking areas stay staffed until November 1. Plan your visit.
Carry In, Carry Out
New Hampshire state parks run on a carry-in, carry-out rule, so bring a bag for your trash. Fires are allowed only in the campground, and drones may not take off or land anywhere in the park. The full rules.
How to Get to Bear Brook State Park
Deerfield Road crosses the north end of the park. Podunk Road runs south from it past the trailheads, and Lower Road branches off Podunk Road past the archery field to the campground.
Day-Use Area
61 Deerfield Road, Allenstown, NH. Catamount Pond, the pavilions and the trails start here. Parking guide.
Campground
600 Lower Road, Deerfield, NH, on Beaver Pond. Check in from 1 to 8 pm. Campground guide.
Park Office
12 Podunk Road, Allenstown, NH 03275. Phone (603) 485-9869. Hours and fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get into Bear Brook State Park?
$4 for adults 12 and over and $2 for children 6 to 11. Children 5 and under get in free, and so do New Hampshire residents 65 and over with a valid NH license. The fee covers trail use too. Camping is priced separately.
Where is Bear Brook State Park?
Mostly in Allenstown and Deerfield, New Hampshire, with edges in Hooksett and Candia. The day-use area is at 61 Deerfield Road, Allenstown, NH. The campground is at 600 Lower Road, Deerfield, NH, about five miles away by road.
Do you need a reservation for Bear Brook?
Not to visit, but it helps on busy days. NH State Parks sells beach passes and hiking passes online up to 30 days ahead because parking is limited on nice weekends and holidays. Walk-in spaces are first come, first served.
Can you swim at Bear Brook?
Yes. Day visitors swim at Catamount Pond, next to the bathhouse pavilion. Campers have their own beach on Beaver Pond inside the campground. Dogs are not allowed in either beach area.
Are dogs allowed at Bear Brook?
Yes, on a leash, on the trails, in the campground and in the Bear Hill cabins. Dogs are not allowed in the beach day-use area or at the pavilions.
Is Bear Brook open in winter?
NH State Parks says the park is always open for recreation unless closed or restricted by posting. Off-season it is usually unstaffed, restrooms are closed and some gates are shut. Winter users ski, snowshoe and snowmobile.